Bolt cruised to victory in the 100m in 9.91 seconds at the same meet and would appear to be favourite for gold in Germany, despite Gay having clocked 9.77 for the 100m and covered 200m in 19.58 so far this season.

Jamaica's Bolt said before racing at Crystal Palace that he felt Gay could not beat him over 100m, while the American said he was "running on faith and that's more dangerous than anything".

However, Gay showed improving form and fitness last Friday, sweeping to a 100m victory at the Super Grand Prix in Stockholm in 9.79 - two-hundredths of a second slower than his world's best mark this season - set in Rome on 10 July.

The 100m World Championships final is on Sunday, 16 August at 2035 BST and Britain's Dwain Chambers, Tyrone Edgar and Simeon Williamson will also hope to be among the medals.

The Berlin crowd will be cheering on the 200m runners in the final on Thursday, 20 August, with Chambers and Marlon Devonish set for action.

European Under-23 200m champion Toby Sandeman withdrew on Wednesday because of a foot injury.

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